Crime Solicitors

Lincolnshire Trading Standards have prosecuted a local sheep farmer for causing extreme suffering to sheep kept at Middle Rasen.

The case was brought following an investigation by Lincolnshire Trading Standards and farmer Philip Wilson, 45, of Whitsend Farm, 95 Brigsley Road, Waltham, in northeast Lincolnshire was convicted in his absence on 27 February 2017.

Wilson was found guilty of one matter of caring for sheep when he was not familiar with the Code of Recommendation for the Welfare of Sheep; one count of keeping sheep without ensuring that they were cared for by staff with the appropriate ability, knowledge and professional competence; and one count under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 of failing to provide 30 sheep relief from pain, suffering and disease.

There were also two matters of causing unnecessary suffering to two of the sheep.

At Lincolnshire Magistrates’ Court, Wilson was sentenced to 26 weeks’ imprisonment suspended for 24 months – and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £115 and prosecution costs of £4318.31.

He was also banned from owning, keeping, dealing in or transporting sheep indefinitely.

Chair of the bench, Stephen Beard, said in court that photographs of the sheep were some of the worst images of animal cruelty that all three magistrates had ever seen.

After sentencing, Lincolnshire County Council Trading Standards Officer, Alan Griffin, said:

“We were made aware of the poor condition of Mr Wilson’s sheep after local residents had complained to the RSPCA.

“We investigated and found several sheep in a poor physical condition – we made several attempts to meet Mr Wilson, but he failed to attend pre-arranged meetings and did not comply with vets’ advice that he needed to provide medical treatment for his sheep.

“Through failing to provide basic care, the sheep suffered terribly from fly strike, which then resulted in maggots eating into the sheep’s flesh.

“We found on a visit on 14 July that one ewe had died through lack of treatment.

“We take animal welfare very seriously and recommended a prosecution due the extreme suffering caused to these sheep.

“We support the indefinite ban on Mr Wilson keeping sheep – and note that Mr Wilson has 28 days to dispose of the 100 sheep he keeps on his farm in northeast Lincolnshire, either by selling to another farmer, or arranging for a more suitable person to look after them.”

Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers – Animal Welfare Offences

Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers are available 24/7, 365 days a year to advise at any stage of a criminal charge involving animal welfare offences, including animal cruelty charges, puppy farming, microchipping offences, keeping a dangerous dog, or offences relating to import or export of livestock or animals.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales – and a Duncan Lewis criminal defence solicitor can attend interviews under caution at a police station within an hour, as well as representing clients at Magistrates’ and Crown Courts.

For expert legal advice on criminal charges, call Duncan Lewis crime lawyers on 0333 772 0409.